Tactics A GAME PLAN FOR DISCUSSING YOUR CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS …but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Zondervan; 2009 Language: English ISBN-10:

Part One: The Game Plan Diplomacy or D-Day? Reservations The Columbo Tactic Part Two: Tactics to Find the Flaws Suicide: Views that Self-Destruct Practical Suicide Sibling Rivalry & Infanticide Taking the Roof Off Steamroller Rhodes Scholar Just the Facts, Ma’am More Sweat, Less Blood

Google Says: reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

Matthew 10:16 I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves Ambassador Model More friendly curiosity & relaxed diplomacy Less confrontation The witch in Wisconsin Pg 20-23

Pg 28: If Christianity is the truth, no matter how convincing the other side sounds at first, there will always be a fly in the ointment somewhere – a mistake in thinking...

Koukl Says (pg 38): It may surprise you to hear this, but I never set out to convert anyone. My aim is never to win someone to Christ. I have a more modest goal, one you might consider adopting as your own. All I want to do is put a stone in someone’s shoe. I want to give him something worth thinking about, something he can’t ignore because it continues to poke at him in a good way. Paul Says (I Cor 9): Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Three Questions 1. What do you mean by that? WHAT 2. How did you come to that conclusion? WHY 3. Just one more thing...have you considered...? Or: Can you clear this up for me...? Or: Can you help me understand this...? (read pg 84) This is the first tactic that requires knowledge & skill

When statements fail to meet their own criteria of validity, they are self-refuting: There is no truth. Is this statement true? There are no absolutes Is this an absolute? No one can know any truth about religion And you, exactly, did you come to know that truth about religion? You can’t know anything for sure Are you sure about that? You can only know truth through experience? What experience has taught you that truth? Never take anyone’s advice on that issue. Should I take your advice on that?

Religious Plularism is self-destructing Pg 118 When someone dies, they might go to Heaven or Hell, or they might be reincarnated, or they might simply turn to dust, but they can’t do them all at the same time.

Practical Suicide (pg 121) Simply can’t work in real-life application “It’s wrong to say that people are wrong.” Sibling Rivalry & Infanticide When two objections are at odds with each other When a concept turns out to disqualify the view itself Pg 132

Taking the roof off Pg 143 Three steps Reduce the point of view to its basic argument Give the idea a test drive to see if any absurd consequences result Invite the person to consider the unusual implications of her view Pg 146 Trotting out the Toddler Pg 151 & 154

Why do people ignore arguments? Emotional reasons Prejudice Cultural influences Just plain pigheaded

Because steamroller are so aggressive, you must manage them aggressively Step One: Stop Him That’s not a simple issue. I need a moment to explain myself. Is that okay? Step Two: Shame Him Can I ask you a favor? I’d love to respond to your concern, but you keep breaking in. Could I have a few moments without being cut off to develop my point? Then you can tell me what you think. Is that okay with you? (wait for a response) Step Three: Leave Him When facing an aggressive challenger, I often give him the last word. Not only is this gracious, it’s also powerful, conveying a deep sense of confidence in one’s own view. Simply say: ‘I’ll let you have the last word.’ Don’t break this promise. Grant him his parting shot, and then let it rest.

Popular articles always inform, but almost never educate When an article tells you WHAT a scholar believes, you have been INFORMED When an article tells you WHY he holds his view, you have been EDUCATED

1. Be aware that many challenges to Christianity are based on bad information. These objections can be overcome by a simple appeal to the facts. 2. You need to know the facts

More wars have been fought and more blood has been shed in the name of God than any other cause. Religion is the greatest source of evil in the world. True or false? Pg 117 Our Founding Fathers were not Christians, but deists. True or false? Pg 178 Two Questions: What’s the claim? Is the claim accurate?

1. Be ready 2. Keep it simple 3. Avoid religious language and spiritual pretense 4. Focus on the truth of Christianity, not merely its personal benefits 5. Give reasons 6. Stay calm 7. If they want to go, let them leave 8. But don’t let them leave empty handed

An ambassador is... Ready Patient Reasonable Tactical Clear Fair Honest Humble Attractive Dependent

Pg 114 – to err is human

God doesn’t take sides Pg 113

Theistic Evolution: Designed by Chance Pg 117

Only Science gives reliable truth Pg 117

Moral Relativism Self-Destructs Pg 124

Proselytizing Prohibited Pg 127